Antivibration device for automobiles



June 11, 1929. s. w. BELL 1,717,000

7 ANTIVIBRATION DEVICES FOR AUTOMOBILES a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24,1925 Fig. I.

do as .94 v. 8 7 87' I I 37 n 23 r a 67 4 /7 I /0/ a 61 4 d ll 9INVENTOR June 11, 1929. G. w. BELL 1.717.000

ANTIVIBRATION DEVICES FQR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 24, 1925 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR June 11, 1929. s. w. BELL AN'I'IVIBRA'IIONDEVICES FOR AU'I'OMOBILIES Filed March 24, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 5.

INVENTOR P t ted June .11., 1 929.

'fPL Otin stantial y I September 28, 1-920,

the wheels equipped devices. and also improving the means described andset forth in my prior-Patent No; 1,288,475, dated December 24automaticallycontrolling the vol 'jpr e'ss'ure of air -in the device inaccordance ,withthe requirements respectively thereon. p Toimprove andfacilitatethe'steering of go-j lfesis tance, and it further 'provi es"y'ikpmama-a manner. to insure a' nm1mumo. stresses and unsprung weightin :the' wheel, a e ma im m" .of'braking -surface or area,Iturther'pro-:

1 from the axle w'thout switch which GEORGE WILLIAM BELL,

or" nnrno rr, mrcnrenn.

mcrrvrnm'rron Dav es roanu rononrtns.

application filed March 24, 1 s 25. Serialin. 13,066.-

' This invention relates topneumatic anti- 1918, of unfie and of the:load supported ,.vehicles' fitted with wheels 'cdntainin'g the saidsusp s n c s, P rti u ar y "tho vehicles oi the heavier type," viz,

u th n ntio Pmwl mea s and steering the "saidwheel of, thereby. reducingthe turnin or this b k to h ing wh and parts" attached thereto, vides amethod of mounting the-'whee'l on the Cylinder removal from the bearingsa's pension device attached affording access to the brake parts, etc,"This arrangement when the wheel s mounted its normal position,permitsa'coess 'toflthe. 'hambersjo'i thetde;

cylinder carrying the I vice for replacement of the oil containedtherein at all times. It also permits oi'the inside of the hub properbeing I a brake drum the outside perlphery'being adapted to receive ademountable rim. and

the invention-- control the or tires. Furthermore, 7 provides animprovement of the is' actuated by the relative movement of the wheeland axle, as fully set forthand described in my prior Patent No.1,288,475, dated December 24, 1918, which controls the supply ofelectricity from bussesarid in the centralv t c n ther I of the deviceand permits oiits' 'a unit endwi e disturbing the 'shs'jt t therebypiston 4 utilized as source to actuate the control airvalves. Thisimproved arrangement insures amore accurate and sensitive control of theair-pressure. in the device to. conform to the varyin'g re quirements ofthe load" suppo rted therebyandis so, disposed in'regards to the partsof the device as to sim'plifythe manufacture I and assembly and alsoprovides protection from the road dust and abuse.

. I will further describe my invention with the aid o'f'theaccompanyinvsheets of ex- I planatory .dr'awings'in whic Fig. 1 is averticalcross-section of a pneu:

matic device of-the piston and'cylin'der type d sposed in-the hub andplane of the front steering wheelof a heavy type automobile v showingthe arrangement of r'nountin'g,.steer ing, and braking the same. 1,

Fig. 1 shows in detail "the switch means shown and disposed in the checkspring chamber ofthe cylinder of the device.

, Fig. 2, is a plan of Fig, 1, sh wing the device and brake partsattached thereto. in ele vatiojn and the insection.

I Fig.3 is a view partly in'longitudinal-sec- I I v tion andpartly inelevation on a vertical plane ofFig'. 1.

Referring the wheels containingt pe shown in Fi in'jes 1,1, 2, and 3,ofthe liawings, the stu] axle l is detachably S62 cured'tothe'dro-pped-axle 2, and is 'rovided with a sleeve 3. extendingbetweent,and'the piston 4 which is mounted in a verwheel, bearings, rim and tirefirst tothe means for steering the said devices ofthe' 1e latter ticalplane on' the stub axle 1 through a cross- 4 a 5' -formed therein, thepiston being se-.; 'curc'led andheld from turning" by the key 6 n nutthereon and permitting a vertical displacement. Enveloping theouterportion of the cylinder 8 the'yoke 10 18 arranged and adapted to vpredetermined 72 The cylinder 8 operates with the I and: has a hollowinner arm 9 adapt 1 ed to envelope the stub axle 1 and be guided r turnhorizontally and becarried by bearings 11 and 12 disposed on thevertical centre pins 13 and 14 res ectively, secured and carried bywhich close the cylinder ends and are secured thereto by bolts throughthe flanges 17 and 18 respectively.

Attached to. the 10 the hollow arm 19' outwardly extends and carriesonits outer periphery the bearings' 20 and 21, onwhich the wheel hub 24and centra-lvpart of the yoke 0 the topandi flttom cylinder caps 15' and16 1 tion 22 'open atits. inner face and'rclosedparts are mounted andrevolve; the bearingsand wheel being secured endwise-on the arm 19 bythe threaded nuts 21' and, lock nut 21?. The opening in the arm 19afiords access to the nut 7 .to secure the piston 4 and device endwiseon the axle 1. Thewheel comprises a drum or barrel porby a vertical discportion 23 attached to the bearing hub 24 at its outer face,- andadapted' to pass over the suspension device when being mounted endwiseon the bearing arm 19. The central portion'of the inner face of thewheel forms the brake drum 25, the

outer periphery havin'gradial extending ribs 26 and 27 with bevelledouteredges 28 and 29 adaptedgto engage with a conventional type ofdemountable pneumatic tire rim 30,

carrying the tire 31 and disposed in-the central'l plane of-.the wheeland held in posi tion by the usual Wedge ring 32, lugs 33, and nuts 34;sufiicient space being allowed be tween the outer periphery of thedrum-22 and the inner faceof the rim 30, to permit accommodation of-thetire stem and 'air valve and allow for the dissipation of the. heat fromthe brake drum 25. f

Referring to the suspension device, air chambers 35 and-36 are formed.in the cylinder 8,one above and one below the axle 1.

Piston .4 engages in these chambers'and -cooperates. therewith to formtwoaircosh-'- ions the one belowthe axle whichis formed by the spaceinside the piston 4 and the lowerpart of the cylinder .8 forming the aircushion orair spring whi'chi-yield-ingly sup ports the weight upon the"wheels, and the other operating as a dashpot or check spring to checkthevertical play of the cylinder 8 and the wheel supported thereon. Thedashpot 35 communicates with the, atmosphere under the control of thepiston 4 through vent holes or ports 37 in the wall of the cylinder 8.

The up er and lower ends of the piston 4 p are pr'ovi ed with suitablecup leather packing rings 38, 39, and, 40 secured and held .in

position by'the threaded rin' s 41', and 42 on the piston 4. Between t elower cup leather packing rings 39 and 40,-a felt wiper ring 43 and agroove 44 -in communication with the chamber 45 is-provided, to gatherand trap anyoil that may pass'the lower cup leather packing ring 40.

Air is supplied to the device from the air control inlet valve 36 fromthe source of supply,through a conduit .disposed-imand passin throughthe axle sleeve 3 and passages: ormed in the piston '4 to the chamber 45and through a check valve 46 disposed 1n a passage in the lower partthereof to the air chamber 36, thereby forcing and returning any oil inthe chamber 45 to the air chamber 36 of the device.

. To reduce the pressure of air in the device,

air isdischarged from the upper' part of the chamber"'36 in the'piston 4through a passage formed in the wall of the latter which connects-withthe air control outlet valve-3'6", through a conduit disposed in the--sleeve 3.;of-t h'e axle communicating there-' with and the atmosphere. I.Both'the air-inlet and outlet conduits disposed in the ax1e sleeve,3connect with the respective passages in the piston 4, by packed iglands47 and 48- disposed 'in the counterbore 49 of'the; piston 4 and are madeairall times from the inside of thewheel; it is provided with anopening52 ,to permitof -replenishment"of oil'to-th'e air chamber 36 of thedevice, the level of the openingbeing arranged'sothat. the correct leveland quantityof oil required in the chamber for sealing and lubricatingthe 'pi'ston packing cup' leather ring 40 is insured when the oilover-flows at the filling opening; A plug closes the opening and sealsaspace 54 com 5 taim'n'g air. (I

A ferrule 55 is formed in the lower cap 16' and is adapted to telescopewith the. open-- ing 56 in the lowerface-of the piston '4, cutting offthe communication between the annular space 57 formed between thecylinder wall 8 and the ferrule 55, from the air chembrr 36. The space.57 with the chamber 50 forms an oil and.air dashpot arranged so thatwhen the piston 4 in the cylinder'8 of the device approaches the end'oltits dis,- placement andengages with thefferrule 55, theoil in the.annular space 57 will be forced to pass between the ferrule and opening56 in the piston, "and also into'the chamber 50' through the passage 51compressing the air contamedtherein, abovethe oil in the space '54thereby cushioning thepiston and preventingrit striking the cylinder. a

0 control the Suppl of electricity from its source on the vehic e to theelectromagnetically operated air cbntrol inlet and outlet valves'respectively 36 and 36", by the relative movement of the cylinder 8 onthe piston 4, for the pur ose of maintaining the pressure of air int cdevie just-suflicient to support the-load thereon and maintain thepiston 4 in its predetermined osition of sus-' pension in the cylinder8am in a state of equilibrium, I provide a switch controlmeans disposedin the u per air check chamber. 35,

comprising a vertically disposed cylinder 59, the upper portion ofwhichhas an enlarged -disposed on. the vehicle, V -conduits carriedthrough passages 62 formed diameter which is (adapted to receive two an-.tion with the source of electricity and the air control inlet andoutlet valves 36 and 36 through electrical in the piston 4, and'63 inthe axle sleeve 3.

The terminals of the conductors'disposed in the piston4 and those in thesleeve 3 are respectlvely adapted to make, by. spring means, electricalcontact with each other in the counterbore face 49, of the piston4',when the latter is mounted on and secured endwise in its position on.theaxle 1. The piston-64 operates in the c linder- 59 and is provided atthe bottom with a small opening 65 adapted to permit oil, which fillsthecylinder 59 and submerges th piston 64, to pass slowly from one sideof'the latter to the other sidewhen it is moved up or down in thecylinder, thereby retarding or damping its movement.

The piston 64 is attached to the top of the cylinder 8. through, a discring or spider 66 disposed betweenthe .cylinder 8 and the cap 15, at thecentre of which a vertical-guide tube 67- extends downwards into thecylinder '59. A tension spring 68 is disposed in and attached at itsupperend to the upper part of the tube 67 andhas at its lower end acolhr 69 through which the connecting rod 70 passes and is adapted toslide therein. The

rod 7 O is connected at its lower end with the piston 64 and has at itsupper end'a head 71.. The length of the rod 70 is such that when thepiston 4 is 2in its normal position of suspension in the cylinder 8 ofthe device, the head 71 will be in engagement with the collar 69 ofthespring, there being sufficient length of rod and spring to permit theformer passing freely therein when the piston 4 of the device rises tothe limit of its displacement upwards. Disposed round the guide tube 67there is provided a compression spring 72 the free length of which 'issuch as to engage with the upper end of the tube and be secured at itslower end to the piston 64,'when the piston 4 is in its normal ositionof suspension in the cylinder 8 o the device;

The arrangement is such that when the piston 4 descends inthe cylinder8, the length of the guide tube 67 is suflicient to pe mit thecompression spring 72 sliding there 11 to the limit of the displacementdownwards, A

end a flange 92 a threaded nut 93 screwed and is yet short enough topermit the piston that when the c5 4 rising to the limits'ofitsdisplacement above its bigormalposition of suspension without the tupiston 64. 4

The piston 64 hasat its upper end a radiall extendin flange 73 withcontact points 74 a ove and below the same, arranged so piston 64 ismoved upwards in'the cylinder 59, electrical contact is made coming incontact at anytime with the with the insulated'terminal ring 60 securedto the piston 4, thereby grounding and clos- 'ing, the electricalcircuit and energizing and opening the air inlet control valve 36 to thesupply of air to the device. Conversely, when the piston 64 is moveddownwards the contact points 74 make electrical contact with the similarterminal ring 61 attached to the iston 4, thereby grounding the currentand c osing the electrical circuit to the air control outlet valve 36"permitting air to escape from the device to the atmosphere.

he air inlet control valve and air control outlet valve, above referredto' are not shown in the accompanying drawings as they form per se nopart of this invention but form art of my prior Patent No. 1,288,475dated ep tember 24, 1918, wherein they are fully shown and described. Itwill be obvious that in lieu of the switch piston 64 and cylinder 59, adiaphragm or metallic bellows or other mechanical equivalent may be 7substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.4

Referring now to the disposition and arrangement of the brake parts,Ivprovide brake shoes 7 5' adapted to engage with the. brake drum 25,and be disposed inthe centre plane a of the cylinder 8 of the deviceand, pivotally secured to the lower-part of the yoke 10 by the bolts 76,and at the upper end to a vertically reciprocatable flanged cap 77,disposed on and guided by the upper part 78 of the 'yoke 10, y means ofconnecting links 79, bolts 80, and 81, crosshead 82, and guide pins 83secured to the flanged cap 7 7, the said pins 83 being adapted to engagewith and slide in the holes in the flanges 84 and 85 of the yoke parts.Springs 86 are secured respectively to the brake-shoes and lugs on theyoke 10 to normally maintain the brake shoes free from the drum 25.

To operate the brakes a fluid pressure chamber 87 is formed in the upperpart 78 of the yoke 10. The lower face of the chamber 87 carries oneportion of the pivotal vertical bearin 1-1 on which it turns on thecylinder '8, anddias'on its upper face an outer rim or flange 87"adapted to receive the outer edge of'the flexible diaphragm 91 to whichit is secured and made air tight by the flanged cover 94 and suitablebolts. A vertical guide 89 is provided and adapted to be in slidingengagement with a centrally disposed cylindrica ,guideelement 9Ohavingat its lower thereon,'- .adapted't o engage with the flexible daphragm and make an air tight joint there-' rovidedin-the chamber 87slot 87 in the cap 77 and the control valve is operated by the driverthe drum 25 against the pressure of the springs 86. When thebrakecontrol valve is operated to release the brakes, air isallowed toescape from the chamber 87 to the atmosphere causing the cap77 anddiaphragmv 91 to be forced downwardsby the actionof the springs 86withdrawing the brake shoes 75- from the drum;

To steer and turn the wheel on the cylinder 8 of the device, I providean arm 95 attached to the yoke 10 carrying the wheel at its lower end,adapted to turn the latter horizontally through the required degrees ofan le oflock, by means of the drag link 96 which is attached to the ballpin.97 secured to the said yoke arm 95 and the steering parts disposedon the vehicle. An arm 98 attached to the yoke arm 95 is provided andadapted to engage with the cross connecting tube 99, connecting the twosteering pistons by means'offthe uni versal joints 100 disposed thereon.

To maintain the openings in the cylinder 8 dust-free, I provide anannular cylindrical dust tube 101, split vertically into two parts andadapted to embrace the outside of the wall of the cylinder 8, and engagewith the inside wall of the yoke 10 by means of the flanges 102 and 103,and be in vertical and horizontal sliding engagement therewith, meansbeing provided to secure it firmly to the flange of the axle sleeve 3when'the piston 4 and cylinder 8 is mounted on the axle 1 as a unit,endwise. To make dust proof contact between the moving cylinder 8 andyoke 10 .and the dust tube 101, flanges 102 and 103 are provided at thetop and bottom edges having grooves filled with felt. A

To permit the securing of the device end-' wise on the axle 1, anopening 104 is pro vided in the dust tube 101 giving access to the nut 7on the axle 1 through the opening" in the bearing arm when the. wheel isin its normal position.

' To assembleand afford access to the cylins der 8 of the device, theyoke 10 is made in two parts the upper part 78 being secured to thelowerpart by flanges 84 and 85' and stud bolts 105. Access is afforded tocylinder 8 .through the detachable cap 15, affording means for insertingthe piston 4 and the assembly of the switch piston 64 in its cylinderder 66. The cap 15 isheld air tight on the cylinder ,8 by suitablepacking between the flanges and stud bolts. 1 Y A To assemble the deviceafter the piston 4 is inserted in the cylinder 8 and the cap 15attached, the dust tube 101 is secured 1n posii tion round the cylinder8. The cylinder 8 is then placed in the centre of the lower part of theyoke -10thereby assembling the bearing 12. The top part 78 of the yoke10 contain closing the latter;

ing part ofthe bearing 11 is assembled over the same and secured to thelower party of the yoke by the flanges 84 and 85 and studbolts.

The device as a unit now is passed endwise onto the end of the axle 1,the openin infthev dust tube 101 being large enough to a low of itpassing over the flange or en of the sleeve- 3 and engaging the latterwith the counterbore in the face of the piston 4, and automati callythereby connecting the air inlet and outlet conduits and the electricalconnections;

when it is secured in position endwise by the on by t e threaded ring-21 and washer 21";

-Referrin now to the operation of the air control switch disposed in theair check chamber 35 above described, when the load supported staticallon the piston 4 of the device, is greater t an the effective pressure ofthe air in thecylin'der 8 thereof, the piston will be displaceddownwards from its normal position of suspension, carrying withit theswitch piston 64, thereby extending the tension s ring 68'; if thedisplacement is great wards in the cylinder59, but at a very slow ratewhich is regulated by the flow of the oil subnierging the piston 64 fromthe upper to the lower side of the latter through the opening 65. As thepiston '64 rises the contact points 74 on the flange 73 thereof, willmake contact with the annular electrical ring terminal 60 and ground thecircuit and energize the air inlet control valve 36" which is there byopened and air is sup lied to the cylinder '95 euoug the ressure exertedby the spring 68 will cause t e-switch piston 64 to move up-' 8 of thedevice, until t e pressure is great enough to balance the load supportedon thepiston 4 causing the latter to rise, and as it approaches itsnormal position of suspension the tension on-the spr1ng68 is relaxed. Asthe piston 4 rises the switch piston 64 which is now above its normalrelative-position in the cylinder 59 is forced downwards therein by theaction of the compression spring'72, thus forcing the contact points 74away from the terminal 60 and breaking the electrical circuit to the aircontrol inlet valve and so When the load supported statically on thepiston 4 is-reduced and the air pressure in the cylinder 8 ofthe deviceis greater than that required to balance the load and maintain thepiston 4 in its normal position of suspension, the latter will be fprcedupwards, carr ing with it the switch piston 64 which will compress thespring 72; if the displacement of i piston 64 to move downwards in thecylinder 59 slowly, until the contact points 74 on the piston 64 willtouch the annular electrical terminal 61 and close the electric circuit,by grounding the same through the pistons 64 and 4, thereby energizingthe air outlet valve 36", permitting air to be released from thecylinder 8 to the atmosphere, until it is reduced enough to balance theload supported on the piston. 4 causing the latter to fall, and as itapproaches its normal position of suspension the pressure on the spring72 is relaxed; if the switch piston 64 is below its normal relativeposition in the cylinder 59, as the piston 4 approaches its normalposition of suspension, it is forced upwards therein by the action ofthe tension spring 68 thus forcing the contact points 74 away from theterminal ring 61 and breaking the electrical circuit to the air outletvalve and thereby closing the latter. i

As the vehicle travels on the road and the piston 4 oscillates upan'ddown in cylinder 8 due to obstacles met with thereon; when the piston 4is forced below its normal position in the cylinder 8 against thepressure of air contained therein, the spring 68 will be extended dueto-the resistance of the piston 64 to movement in the cylinder 59, bythe rod 70 and head 71 which engages with the piston 64 and the collar69 of the spring 68. The compression spring 72 is then free to slidedown the outside of the guide'tube 67. Owing to the short duration ofthe displacement due to the vibration, the tension spring 68 cannot movethe piston 64 in the cylinder 59 against the resistance caused by thedamping of the passage of the oil from one side of the piston to theother through the. opening 65,-

enough to close the electrical circuit through the contact points 74 andthe electrical terminals of the air inlet valve.

Similarly, when the piston 4 oscillates above its normal position ofsuspension in the cylinder 8 the spring 72 will be compressed due to theresistance of the piston 64 to movement, the rod will rise upwardsthrough and in the collar 69 of the spring 68; owing to the shortduration of the displacement sthere is no time for the piston 64 to moveenough in its cylinder 59 to permit the electrical circuit to the aircontrol outlet valve being closed and so the valve remains closed.

By the above arrangement and operation only changes in the loadsupported by the piston 4 actuates and regulates the supply of airthrough the air inlet and outlet valves to maintain the piston initsnormal position of suspension.

It is necessary that the strength of the tension spring 68 shall be suchthat when extended it will not raise the piston 64 in its cylinder 59and form a vacuous space below the same.

It is also to be understood that the above described switch is notlimited in its disposition to thatshown in the drawings, and may beplaced in other positions and actuated by the relative movement of thepiston and cylinder of the device without departing from the scope ofthis invention.

Referring to the fluid pressure brake parts, it is obvious that a pistonand cylinder with suitable packing may be substituted as a mechanicalequivalent in lieu of the chamber and flexible diaphragm herein shown inconnection with the figures of the drawings. and described, withoutdeparting from the ambit and scope ofthe invention.

What I claim is 1. In a pneumatic anti-vibration device for automobilesof the type set forth an axle, the outer ends of which are each adaptedto receive a piston, an upright non-rotatable piston detachably securedto the outer end of the axle, an air cylinder vertically reciprocatableand horizontally constrained and guided thereon, a steering yokevertically journalled on and carried by the cylinder, a wheel carried byand journalled on the yoke, in or adjacent to the pl ane of the pistonand co-operatmg cylinder in combination with means for braking thewheel, comprising, a hollow wheel ada ted to pass over and surround thedevice and support at its outer periphery a rim and tire, the innerperipheral surface forming a brake drum, brake shoes, a fluid pressurechamber having an actuating element co-operating therewith, a connectingmember disposed over the said chamber carried by the yoke, adapted toengage with the actuating element therein, and the brake shoes and beguided and carried by the yoke the fluid pressure in the chamber toactuate the brake and spring means disposed and adapted to free thebrake when the pressure in the chamber is released.

2. In a pneumatic anti-vibration device for automobiles of the type setforth, including a cylinder and piston, means for maintaining a supplyof air under pressure thereto and electro-magneti-cally operated meanscontnolling the supply of air" to and the escape from the cylinder ofthe device, the combination therewith of electric switches, adapted tocontrol the su ply of electricity to the said control means, isposed andarranged to be operated by the relative movement of the piston in thecylinder of the device, due to variations of the load supported therein,comprising a switchpiston and co-operating cylinder attachedrespectively to the elements of the .munication with-the source ofelectricity so arranged and adapted that when the switch piston is movedthe required amount from its normal position in its cylinder it willengage with one or the other terminal therein and actuate the respectivecontrol means, compression and tension springs and guiding elementsadapted to be in sliding engagement therewith when the said springs arerespectively free from stress, disposed between one element of thedevice and the switch piston arranged and adapted to maintain the switchpiston in a normal predetermined position relative to the said elementof the device so that when variations in the load displaces the pistontherein one of the respective circuits is closed and the control meansactuated, fluid disposed in the switch piston and cylinder, an openingarranged therein to permit the passage of the fluid therethrough for thepurpose of damping the action of the valves fo the purpose set forth.

3. In a pneumatic anti-vibration device for automobiles of the type setforth, including a cylinder and piston, means for maintaining a supplyof air under. pressure and electromagnetlcally operated control meanscontrolling the supply of air to andthe escape from the cylinder of thedevice, the combination therewith of electric switches operated by therelative movement of the piston and cylinder of the device, due tovariations in the load supported thereby, comprising a switch cylinderdisposed in the upper portion of the piston in the check chamber of thedevice, terminals disposed therein in electrical communication with therespective control means, a switch piston operating therein inelectrical communication with the source of electricity, and held in anormal predetermined position relative to the cylinder of the device, bythe action of a compression and a tension spring disposed, when in thisposition between the top of the cylinder of the device and the switchpiston, guides adapted to be in sliding engagement with the springs whenthe latter are respectively free from stress, means disposedlon theswitch piston adapted to make contact respectively with the electricalterminals ofthe control means, means disposed in the piston and axlesleeve arranged to automatically connect the electric circuits betwe enthe said terminals, the source of electricity and the control means,when the piston is secured endwise to the axle, liquid disposed in theswitch piston and cylinder and means permitting the liquid to pass fromone side to the other of the piston for the purpose of damping themovement therein and the action of the valves for the purpose set forth.

4. In a pneumatic anti-vibration device for automobiles of the type setforth, including a cylinder' and co-operating piston oscillated by therespective movements of a-wheel hub and companion axle, an opening inthe lower face of the piston, a ferrule attached to the lower end of thecylinder adapted to telescope with the opening in the piston, a dash-potchamber disposed adjacent to and in communication with the annular spacebetween the I ferrule and cylinder, and means accessible from the insideface of the wheel for replenishing liquid to the cylinder and adaptedwhen sealed to form an air and liquid dashpot to check the movement ofthe piston in the forming part of the elements of the steer-- ing means,wheel bearings mounted on the yoke arm, a hollow wheel disposed in oradjacent to the plane of the piston and cooperating cylinder, the hubof'which is journaled on the wheel bearings, adapted to pass over andsurround the device and support at its outer periphery a rim and tire,means attached to the yoke and to the steering means disposed on and inconnection with the vehicle and means for maintaining the opening in thecylinder dust free.

6. In a pneumatic anti-vibration device for automobiles of the type setforth, an axle, the

outer ends of which are each adapted to re ceive a piston, an uprightnon-rotatable piston, detachably secured to the outer end of the axle, aco-operating air cylinder recip rocatable on the piston and means,comprising, an inwardly extendin hollow a'rm, attached to the cylinder,enveloping and in sliding engagement with the axle therein, adapted torestrain the cylinder from horizontal rotation thereon, pivotal bearingsdisposed and carried on the u per and lower faces of the cylinder ends,a orizontally rotatable yoke,

forming part of the elements of the steering means, adapted to envelopethe outer portion of the cylinder, 'journaled on the bearings, wheelbearings mounted on'the yoke arm, a hollowwheel disposed in or adjacentto the plane of the piston and cooperating cylinder adapted to pass overand surround the device and support at its outer periphery a rim andtire, the hub of which is journaled on the wheel bearings, meanssecuring the piston endwise on the axle, and means for maintaining theopening in the cylinder dust free, comprising, an annular dust tubedetachably secured to the axle engaging the outer wall of the cylinderand inside wall of the yoke through dust washer rings attached thereto,openings through the dust tube and the axle, an air cylinder verticallyreeip-- rocatabl'e and horizontally constrained and guided thereon, asteeringyoke, vertically journaled on and carried by the cylinder, awheel disposed in or adjacent to the plane of the piston and cooperatingcylinder, carried by and journaled on the yoke, in combination withmeans for braking the wheel, comprising, a hollow Wheel, adapted to passover and surround the device and support at its outer periphery a rimand tire,. the inner peripheral surface forming a brake drum, brakeshoes, fulcrumed on and carried by' the yoke in the plane of the Wheel,a fluid pressure chamber having actuating elements cooperatingtherewith, comprising a flexible diaphragm, a connecting member disposedover the chamber, and means attached to the diaphragm arranged tocentrally guide and transmit the vertical movement thereof to theconnecting member and the brake shoes and be guided on and carried bythe yoke, means disposed on the vehicle for the supply and control ofthe fluid pressure toactuate the I brake and means disposed and adaptedto free the brake when the pressure in the chamber is released. l

8. In a pneumatic ant-vibration device for automobiles of the type etforth, an axle, the outer ends of which ar each adapted to receive apiston, an uprig t nonrotatable piston detachably secured to the outerend of the axle, an air cylinder vertically reciprocatable andhorizontally constrained and guided thereon, a steering yoke, verticallyjournaled on and carried by the cylinder, a wheel carried by andjournaled on the yoke disposed in or adjacent to the plane of the pistonand cooperating cylinder, in combination with means for braking thewheel, comprising, a hollow wheel adapted to pass over and surround thedevice, with radially extending ribs disposed on the outer periphery ofthe drum, adapted to receive and engage with a detachable rim and tire,the inner periphery thereof forming a brake drum, brake shoes, fulcrumedon and carried by the steering yoke adapted to operate therewith, andengaging means, means controlled on the vehicle .for actuating the brakeand spring means adapted to free the brake when the actuating means arereleased.

GEORGE WILLIAM BELL.

